Monday, April 21, 2008

Not Your Usual Basics - Final wardrobe














Not your usual coat – pattern 115 from Burda World of Fashion no 11/2007 - described in this post (first garment in that post) and this review

Not your usual little black dress – Vogue 8280- described in this post and this review

Not your usual white shirt 1 (with black piping) – pattern 108 from Burda World of Fashion no 1/2008- described in this post and this review

Not your usual white shirt 2 – pattern 109 from Burda World of Fashion no 3/2008- described in this post

Not your usual pintuck shirt – Vogue 2813 Donna Karan (wardrobe pattern)- described in this post and this review

Not your usual wrap top – pattern 116 from Burda World of Fashion no 1/2008- described in this post and this review

Not your usual silk blouse – self-drafted using the instructions in Pattern Magic vol. 2 and the bodice sloper from Mrs. Stylebook - described in this post and this review

Not your usual A-line skirt - Vogue 2813 Donna Karan (wardrobe pattern)- described in this post and this review

Not your usual pencil skirt – pattern 122 from Burda World of Fashion no 12/2007- described in this post and this review

Not your usual jeans – copied after one of my RTW pairs - described in this post and this review

Not your usual black pants - Vogue 2813 Donna Karan (wardrobe pattern)- described in this post and this review

This year I really felt that there was a strong idea behind my SWAP. I recently discovered that I don’t have enough basics in my wardrobe and an initial list of things to sew started to form in my head. Then the idea went further and I decided to make my SWAP a wardrobe of basics… now, part of those basics are to be found in any book or list of things you should have and others, like not your usual pintuck shirt or not your usual silk blouse are my own idea of basics :)

I knew I wanted to sew a basic wardrobe but at the same time, I knew I wanted each item to be one that I would wear a lot if not to death, therefore it was important to add a personal touch to all the items. Hand embroidery on a skirt, pintuck embellishments on another, delicate handmade roses on a dress, piping and covered dotted buttons on another blouse… All this to make these items speak about me and to result in a wardrobe of not your usual basics. Or basics with a twist.

54 comments:

Vicki said...

Good luck with the competition! You have a fab wardrobe that goes together beautifully!

Shannon said...

What a lovely grouping of not-so-basic basics!!

Adrienne said...

You have done a fantastic job! Everything looks wonderful!

AllisonC said...

Huge congratulations on completing your wardrobe. I love the concept that you came up with and you have ended up with a very wearable, but very couture wardrobe. In your photos I thought it was interesting that you can even get double the looks from your tops by wearing then tucked in or not. Great job!

ceregana said...

I love every single garment you made. They are so chic and luxurious. Good luck with your competition!

cidell said...

I am speechless! this is a great, great wardrobe. The colors are awesome and the style is spot on. How incredibly inspiring Laura!

BCN - UNIQUE designer patterns said...

Laura .- you have achieved a spectacular costumes and with the peculiarity that it looks great. Congratulations. You are right, the pattern is very important but also the small details. Thank you for this summary. A big hug and see you soon. Paco

Angelia said...

Wonderful collection Laura! I get so many wonderful ideals from you!!!

lois said...

Love the SWAP. Looks great basic or not I'll take it!!!! Lois

kbenco said...

Your SWAP garments are all beautifully made and it is lovely to see them all together looking fabulous. What wonderful "basics" you have put together.

Charlene McGill said...

Hello Laura, I have been following your project and I have to said, "Your are an execellent sewer." Keep doing what you do.

Emily said...

Beautiful job on everything. Your wardrobe just looks fantastic. I also really love the red shoes you have!

Beth H said...

Those are *wonderful*--the fabric, the fit, the plan, everything. Great job.

Alexandra said...

Congratulations on finishing your SWAP! What a fabulous wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

WOW! What a great collection. Good luck with the competition!!
Nina

Erica Bunker said...

Laura, everything is beautiful! Good luck!

loopylulu said...

Your swap looks beautiful and the colors are right up my alley. They all coordinate well with each other and fit your theme.

Christina said...

What a stunning wardrobe. Each piece is very special. Good luck!

Mamis said...

Numai gratulatii!Ai facut haine foarte frumoase!

Leslie said...

You have an amazing collection here Laura, I think you accomplished exactly what you were after. Congrats and good luck in the contest!

Summerset said...

Fantastic wardrobe - I'd wear all those pieces. The workmanship is incredible and will make the pieces long lasting as you wear them over and over again. Congratulations!

Meg said...

the whole wardrobe looks so well planned end constructed. Well done, you look great. :)

Claire said...

Laura,
Congratulations on completing your wardrobe. I'm stunned by your beautiful garments. They fit you beautifully and are also well sewn.
Good luck with the competition. Every item works well together.

Paula Gardner said...

Excellent wardrobe, Laura. The pieces coordinate beautifully and you look just fabulous in everything. Well done; cogratulations!

Sew-4-Fun said...

What a fabulous collection of clothes! I love seeing it all together. Everything looks so expensive, and mixes and matches so well. I love all the little details on each garment, making them anything but 'basic'. Great job! Good luck with the contest.

Katrin said...

Dear Laura,
what a wonderful wardrobe! Every piece is so you and you look stunning in each combination!

Marji said...

And now that you've got it all so beautifully done, you can just ship it to me. (insert cheesy grin).
As you know, I want to crawl inside your closet and nest awhile.

CraftRage said...

WOW! Stylish but classic! Perfectly lovely SWAP!

Anonymous said...

Great job, the first place is for you. Your sewing is fabulous.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pieces. You wear them all so well. You take extra care when sewing the details. You are an inspiration!

Dana said...

This is also not your usual black, white, and red wardrobe! I have to admit I'm a little tired of that combination - but not the way you did it. I'd gladly wear every single garment. Wow, great job!

Maja said...

What a wonderful wardrobe! You really did an amazing job! Good luck with the competition.

Tany said...

What can I say? It's a Laura's collection, all in my favorite colours and my favorite style!! It's a collection I'd wear myself!!! It's well thought out, the construction was flawless, the details are amazing! My friend, you get an A+++++++++++++ from me!

Betty said...

This is an outstanding blog post. Your work, of course is amazing, the the wardrobe really works. Your information is so complete...makes me want to finally get moving on something similar. Thanks for all your efforts to inspire.

Betty

Linda L said...

I love this! I am glad to see all of the pieces. Great job but then I expected that of you! Bravo!!!

Anonymous said...

I have been following your Blog, you inspire me. Great work! Hope to see more.

angie.a said...

Laura!!! WOW! Everything is so beautiful. I'm very jealous of your prolific use of BWOF! Running to dig out those issues and peek at them. LOL :D

Johanna Lu said...

Congrats on your wardrobe. You have a great eye and all your hard work really shows through in every item. I love your wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

This is a fantastic wardorbe!! Basics? Well, yes, and then, no, they are so special!! Great work.

laura said...

Absolutely stunning! My favorite is the white BWOF top.

Tearsa Smith said...

Laura you are rocking Romania!! Love your SWAP! As always very chic.

Nancy Winningham said...

Another fantastic wardrobe, Laura. And besides, you're just way too cute!

katherine h said...

Congratulations Laura, on a fabulous job! You have created a very sophisticated wardrobe.

Gorgeous Things said...

Fabulous, wonderful and accolades all around!

Unknown said...

Love your SWAP! I can't pick a favorite, everything is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Everything is so perfect!
My favorites are your unusual white shirts. Thank you for all the how tos along the way!
Noroc!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning the first price of the SWAP,your not so basic wardrobe looks fantastic.

Admin said...

What pretty clothes. Excellent work!!

Amy

http://growinginsewing.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I have been following your SWAP progress for a while and admire your sewing skills and fashion sense!

Vicki said...

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dawn said...

Wooo hooooo! Congratulations on first place!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations missy! You earned a well deserved first place. What an inspiration you are! Excellent... have fun sewing up all that beautiful fabric!

Katrin said...

Dear Laura,
I just saw that you won -congratulations!!! I am curious to see what you will make from your price!
Best wishes,
Katrin

Unknown said...

Awesome job!
I've got the German version of the 1/2008 Burda and am really struggling (more than is usual for a Burda pattern) to translate the 116 wrap top directions into English. Does anyone have an english version photo/scan they can put up somewhere for this?